Should you rub or scratch a dog
Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs?
Its signature dog behavior to roll over and ask for a belly rub. And what owner can resist rewarding their pet with that kind of attention? Its a wonderful way to bond.
But why do dogs like belly rubs? And is it truly a universal dog behavior, or do some prefer to be petted elsewhere? Read on to learn how to recognize if your dog is really asking for a belly rub, and if so how to give the best belly rub possible.
Why Do Dogs Like Belly Rubs?
There has yet to be any scientific research on why dogs love belly rubs. Dr. Stanley Coren, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of British Columbia and author of How to Speak Dog, believes its simply another way of socially connecting with your pet. For some dogs, a belly rub is simply a variant of being petted. It is a form of social contact. The fur on the belly is usually less dense and softer, so the sense of being touched is less muted.
Some dogs love being petted so much that they even prefer touch to other types of rewards, such as a treat or toy. A research study that examined dogs preferences placed them in a Y-shaped maze and watched to see which arm of the Y they chose. The dogs found food at the end of one arm of the Y; at the end of the other arm, they found their owner, ready to praise and pet them. Most of the dogs chose contact with their owner over the food. So dont underestimate the power of petting and belly rubs.
Do All Dogs Like Belly Rubs?
However, its a myth that dogs across the board love belly rubs. Even if they enjoy other forms of pats and cuddles, belly rubs can rub some dogs the wrong way. Dr. Coren explains, It is certainly not the case that all dogs like belly rubs. More dominant breeds, especially those that have been bred to be guard dogs, are apt to view attempts to rub their bellies as aggression.
But if your dog rolls on their back, what else could they be asking for? Are you misunderstanding a canine body language cue? Yes. Its important to understand when your dog is inviting a belly rub and when theyre trying to tell you something else. For example, a scientific study looked at why dogs roll over during play and found that this is a tactical posture, used either to evade a play bite to the neck or to launch a playful attack. So, there is more to the belly-up position than meets the eye.
Why Do Dogs Roll Onto Their Backs?
There are many other reasons why dogs roll onto their backs. Dr. Coren explains, When the weather is hot, dogs will often roll on their backs to expose their bellies where the fur is thinner, and therefore they can dissipate some heat and cool off. Adult dogs will roll on their back as an invitation for play with puppies and with human toddlers (who still are emitting the pheromones associated with the very young). And dogs roll on their back as a signal for submission when they are afraid or threatened.
So, if dogs roll on their backs for so many reasons, how do you know if your pet is inviting a belly rub? Look at the rest of their body language. Dr. Coren notes that a frightened or threatened dog will avoid eye contact and hold their mouth closed with maybe only the tip of the tongue visible. The opposite signals show your dog is interested in engaging with you. If the dog rolls on its back and its mouth is open with its tongue rolling out and its eyes wide open, that is a good sign that this is a friendly and sociable signal.
How Do You Give Your Dog a Great Belly Rub?
If your dog gives you the right body language, its time to offer a belly rub. Keep your hands away from your dogs head and lightly scratch the upper region of their chest with your fingers or hand. But watch their reaction. If your dog seems relaxed and comfortable, keep going. Many dogs will close their eyes and melt into your touch. But if your pooch stiffens, moves away, or otherwise seems anxious, stop petting and let your dog be.
If your dog doesnt want belly rubs, accept that as part of their personality. One of Dr. Corens dogs, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever named Ranger, is a very successful therapy dog. The only time he offers to have his belly rubbed is in the presence of children whom he treats very much like puppies. And thats fine with Dr. Coren, who believes you shouldnt force belly rubs on your dog or try to teach your pet to enjoy them. Its important that your dog is comfortable being handled, but belly rubs are a personal preference. He urges people to never forcibly roll a dog onto their back, even if you think its playful or for the purpose of a belly rub.
If your dog doesnt like and doesnt offer a chance to give them a belly rub, says Dr. Coren, then dont pursue this activity. You might think that it is pleasurable in the same way that some people think that strawberry ice cream is nice. If your child doesnt like strawberry ice cream, would you think that it is necessary to teach them to like that flavor of ice cream? The same goes for belly rubs for your dog. There are other things the dog might find more pleasurable, like retrieving a plush toy that youve tossed across the room.
So, the key to giving a great belly rub is ensuring your dog wants one in the first place. Read your pets body language cues and appreciate their preferences. And if your dog asks for a belly rub, savor those cuddles for all theyre worth.
Dog Scratch Reflex: Why Dogs Kick Their Legs During Belly Rubs
So, why do dogs kick when you scratch them? At the turn of the 20th century, English neurophysiologist Sir Charles Sherrington became intrigued by thisdog behaviorand devoted considerable resources to its study.
According to his findings published inThe Integrative Action of the Nervous System, the dog scratch reflex manifests in four stages:
- The Latency Period: This is the slight delay between the time you start scratching your dog's sweet spot and the time the leg starts the "dog belly rub leg kick." The delay is caused by the time it takes for the nerve to send scratching signals up the spinal cord to the brain, and then for the signal to travel back down to the leg and activate the kicking motion.
- The Warm-Up: This is the time it takes for the leg to really get going. The kicking motion usually starts slowly and then builds in intensity as you continue scratching or rubbing the sweet spot.
- The After Discharge: This refers to how sometimes the kicking motion will continue after you stop scratching or move your hand away. Just as the signal to start kicking takes time to reach the leg, so does the signal that it's OK to stop.
- Fatigue: Scratching for too long in the same spot can cause the reflex to tire out, which is why sometimes your dog's kicking slows and stops even though you keep tickling the same spot. It needs time to rest before it can become active again.
The dog scratch reflex might be amusing, but it serves a purpose in protecting your dog from pests and provides key insights into their neurological health. Whether your dog is aware of any of this, or whether they just like the sensation of getting their sweet spot scratched, one thing is almost certain belly rubs are pretty awesome.
Are Dogs Ticklish? Why Do Dogs Kick Their Leg When You Rub or Scratch Them?
When you rub a dogs chest, side, or belly (the location can vary from dog to dog) it causes an itching sensation. This creates a nerve impulse that travels to the spinal cord, which in turn activates nerves that move the adjacent hind leg. The leg kicks rhythmically, as if to scratch the itch. The location and intensity of the itch dictates the location and intensity of the scratch. Amazingly, this response is all programmed within the spinal cord, and so is beyond the dogs conscious control. Vets and scientists can use the scratch reflex to assess nerve and spinal cord function. Dog owners use it to amaze their friends.
Are Dogs Ticklish?
As to whether dogs are ticklish like humans, the answer is that no one knows. Some dogs flinch when touched around the feet, tail base or ears. While this may indicate pleasure, its safer to assume that if your dog recoils, youre annoying her. Try scratching a more neutral spot, such as her head or upper back.
Finally, a dog that seems more "ticklish" than normal may have a skin problem, such as fleas, allergies, or dermatitis. If your dog is habitually scratching, licking, or kicking at her ears, or seems unusually sensitive to the touch, be sure to consult your veterinarian.
"Happiness is having a scratch for every itch." - Ogden Nash
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Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at DogHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site. Just Answer is an external service not affiliated with DogHealth.com.
How to Treat A Cut on A Dog (& What to Put on It)
Despite our best efforts, dogs sometimes get hurt. One part of being a responsible pet parent is knowing how to answer the question, "What can I put on my dog's cut?" and how to treat a cut on a dog at home. Having a dog-specific first aid kit on hand, knowing what to use to treat a cut at home and recognizing when your dog needs veterinary attention are all important parts of pet care. If your furry friend is wounded, here is how to treat a cut on a dog.
How to Treat a Cut on a Dog
Use this step by step guide to treat your dog if they get a wound:
Step 1: Assess and Stop Any Bleeding
Before you can answer "What can I put on my dog's cut?" you need to ask yourself, "Is the wound bleeding?" If the wound is oozing blood, then you can apply gentle pressure with a small towel or gauze square, depending on the size of the wound. Ask your dog to sit or lie down, and hold the towel in place over the wound with your hand with just enough pressure to stop the bleeding. If the dog is calm, most wounds will clot and stop bleeding within a couple of minutes. If the dog is excited, then it will take longer because of high blood pressure. If the wound is pumping blood, that means a larger blood vessel has been cut, and you will need to keep pressure on the wound until you get to a veterinary clinic.
Step 2: Clean
If the wound has debris in it, like mud or leaves, flush the wound with a generous amount of lukewarm tap water to rinse dirt and bacteria off the surface of the wound.
Step 3: Disinfect the Wound
This brings us to the million dollar question: "What can I put on my dog's cut?"
Dilute betadine is an excellent disinfectant to keep in your first-aid kit. A good alternative to betadine is diluted chlorhexidine. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used to clean the wound because it is very damaging to skin cells, and can actually delay wound healing.
Start by applying disinfectant to the wound. If it is a bite wound, squirt disinfectant into the puncture hole to flush out bacteria and contact your veterinarian for advice as bite wounds are more likely to develop secondary infections. After the wound is cleaned and disinfected, apply a thin layer of triple antibiotic ointment to the surface of the wound.
What Can I Put on My Dog's Cut: Additional Precautions
It's important to deal with cuts and scrapes early to avoid infection. If you wait too long to treat a wound, then it can become a much bigger, more painful problem that takes longer to heal and requires additional expensive treatment.
Dogs that are wounded are hurt and scared, and may react aggressively out of fear. Before you ask yourself how to treat a cut on a dog, ask yourself if you should. Only attempt to take care of your dog's wound at home if you are confident that your dog won't bite anyone who tries to help. Use a muzzle (you can make one at home) and get somebody to help you. When treating a wound yourself, it is important to stay calm as your dog can pick up on your stress.
When to See a Vet
How do you know when you need to take your dog to the vet and when you can treat a cut at home? Here are the types of injuries that need veterinary attention:
- Bite wounds as they're likely to get infected
- Deep cuts that fully penetrate the skin
- Cuts longer than an inch
- Cuts that the dog won't leave alone
- Cuts that don't heal within a week
- Cuts that look infected (redness, heat, swelling, discharge that looks like pus, odor)
- Any injury that leaves your dog acting sick (excessive tiredness, loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, etc.)
- Anything wound you are unsure or worried about
If you've treated the wound adequately, it should heal in less than a week. Anything that takes longer than that or shows signs of infection should be addressed by a vet. If you follow these simply steps, you'll be ready to play nurse the next time your pup gets hurt. Your dog and your vet with thank you for practicing good hygiene and safety when it comes to treating wounds at home.
Contributor Bio
Dr. Sarah Wooten
A 2002 graduate of UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Sarah Wooten is a well-known international speaker in the veterinary and animal health care spaces. She has 10 years experience in public speaking and media work, and writes for a large number of online and print animal health publications.. Dr. Wooten has spoken in the veterinary education space for 5 years, and speaks on leadership, client communication, and personal development. Dr. Wooten is also a certified veterinary journalist, a member of the AVMA, and has 16 years experience in small animal veterinary practice. In addition to being a speaker, author, veterinarian, and co-creator of the wildly popular card game 'Vets Against Insanity', she co-owns Elevated Eateries Restaurant group in Greeley with her husband of 22 years, and together they are raising 3 slightly feral mini-humans. When it is time to play, she can be found skiing in Colorado or diving with sharks in the Caribbean.
Go big...or go home. To learn more, visit drsarahwooten.com.
